A small Mystery
#1
A small Mystery
I have the original invoice for my car which, as you can see, includes the sum of £1204.00 (probably about $1500.00US back then) for "Classic Leather Package".
This has always intrigued me - I thought that all XK8s came out of the factory with a leather interior, so what do I have that is exta to that - or - did the first owner just specifiy a very expensive cow instead of an ordinary cheap cow for his/her upholstery ??
This has always intrigued me - I thought that all XK8s came out of the factory with a leather interior, so what do I have that is exta to that - or - did the first owner just specifiy a very expensive cow instead of an ordinary cheap cow for his/her upholstery ??
#2
#3
#4
There apparently were different grades of leather. According to this brochure, the Victory Editions came with premium soft grain leather:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...rochure-1-.pdf
I do not know what the "classic leather" is in yours. Perhaps you could post some interior pictures of yours to help us identify what differences there may be. For instance, some easily identifiable features in others would be the x350 Vanden Plas editions coming with fluted or piped leather seats, or the x100 Victory Edition coming with a leather wrapped steering wheel.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...rochure-1-.pdf
I do not know what the "classic leather" is in yours. Perhaps you could post some interior pictures of yours to help us identify what differences there may be. For instance, some easily identifiable features in others would be the x350 Vanden Plas editions coming with fluted or piped leather seats, or the x100 Victory Edition coming with a leather wrapped steering wheel.
#5
What color is your interior David?
I ask because Ivory colored leather was usually an expensive optional extra, though a no-cost option chosen for my 4.2S XK8 (UK equivalent to US Victory Edition). I've physically removed much of the interior for different project work and have positively identified genuine leather is used on;
All seat panels (except the back face and map pockets of the front seats)
Whole center console and center armrest,
Door armrests and padded panels
Rear Armrests
Front Carpet Edging! Ivory trim on Black Carpets
Leather is not used for the handbrake and seat belt gaiters. (Why?!)
Jaguar Customer Services confirmed with me that what I have is a full leather package
I ask because Ivory colored leather was usually an expensive optional extra, though a no-cost option chosen for my 4.2S XK8 (UK equivalent to US Victory Edition). I've physically removed much of the interior for different project work and have positively identified genuine leather is used on;
All seat panels (except the back face and map pockets of the front seats)
Whole center console and center armrest,
Door armrests and padded panels
Rear Armrests
Front Carpet Edging! Ivory trim on Black Carpets
Leather is not used for the handbrake and seat belt gaiters. (Why?!)
Jaguar Customer Services confirmed with me that what I have is a full leather package
Last edited by astromorg; 02-09-2017 at 12:49 PM.
#6
#7
Thanks everyone - Interesting.
Yes - I have the "classic" seats - vertical panels on seat back and front-to-rear panels on seat cushion. Seems a lot of money for a bit of extra stitching !!
Black interior. Leather and wood steering wheel.
............... and yes - I know the cover on the seat mechanism is broken but they are no longer available and I can't persuade any breakers to sell me "just" the little bit of plastic. One of these days, I'll get a 3D printer !!
Yes - I have the "classic" seats - vertical panels on seat back and front-to-rear panels on seat cushion. Seems a lot of money for a bit of extra stitching !!
Black interior. Leather and wood steering wheel.
............... and yes - I know the cover on the seat mechanism is broken but they are no longer available and I can't persuade any breakers to sell me "just" the little bit of plastic. One of these days, I'll get a 3D printer !!
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#8
#9
Yes, that looks like the standard interior for that year. It's virtually all vinyl.. even the entire center console is vinyl. Only the upper padding where you rest you arm is leather, the rear seats have even less leather. Only the Xk8's with the Recaro seats had real extended leather front and back.
Vinyl is not a bad thing. It ages better than leather, especially in convertibles!
Vinyl is not a bad thing. It ages better than leather, especially in convertibles!
#10
But ............. it can't be the "standard" interior - taking tax into account as well, that's an extra £1415.00 for a "factory fitted option". For a car that originally cost a fraction under £60k and came with a leather interior, I just can't see what that additional money paid for !!
Doesn't really matter - just curiosity.
Doesn't really matter - just curiosity.
#11
#12
#13
The Sport model was the base trim in the UK at first. It was never sold in the US. The Sport trim had cloth inserts (or leather for an additional cost), a dark grey stained maple dash, and higher contrast interior trim.
I gather it was not popular.
From you and your Jaguar XK/XKR by Nigel Thorley:
I gather it was not popular.
From you and your Jaguar XK/XKR by Nigel Thorley:
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MediaBobNY (02-10-2017)
#14
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#15
Red - I think that solves the mystery - a very small amount of cow and a bit of additional stitching equals a great deal of additional money. I must admit, I have seen many XK8s here in the UK, and have never come across one with cloth inserts on the seats, so I guess very few purchasers went for that option.
Steve - my car is vin 016506 and the part number for the seat mechanism cover is GJA4730ADLEG which is no longer available. The part you suggest is from vin 018107 which I had never discovered as I didn't look at later models.
I won't risk the money for a part that won't fit but ......... from the pictures, they look very similar so I might find a friendly owner with a later car and do a direct comparison. If it's just the mounting lugs or a clip or something on the rear that's different, a bit of creativity and some superglue might just solve the problem. Thanks for the advice.
Steve - my car is vin 016506 and the part number for the seat mechanism cover is GJA4730ADLEG which is no longer available. The part you suggest is from vin 018107 which I had never discovered as I didn't look at later models.
I won't risk the money for a part that won't fit but ......... from the pictures, they look very similar so I might find a friendly owner with a later car and do a direct comparison. If it's just the mounting lugs or a clip or something on the rear that's different, a bit of creativity and some superglue might just solve the problem. Thanks for the advice.
#16
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#17
Steve - I'm keeping an eye on Ebay and this Forum and others. For very understandable reasons, nobody wants to sell the plastic trim when they might be able to sell the complete seat.
I'm going to do a direct comparison with the later cover - it may be that the changes were very minor, and I can do a creative modification !!
Thanks again.
I'm going to do a direct comparison with the later cover - it may be that the changes were very minor, and I can do a creative modification !!
Thanks again.